Shell Commits To Ending Gas Flaring In Nigeria

Anglo Dutch Oil Company, Shell has again emphasised its commitment to the elimination of routine gas flaring in Nigeria, Independent reports.

The company conveyed this in its annual sustainability report where it said in Nigeria, flaring from Shell Petroleum Development Company’s (SPDC) joint-venture (Shell interest 30%) facilities fell by close to 90% between the start of its gas reduction programme in Nigeria between 2002 and 2017. It noted that the reduction was mainly due to investing in associated gas gathering and processing facilities that capture the associated gas and commercialise it for either the domestic or export market. Divestments also resulted in a further reduction. However, flaring intensity levels from SPDC JV facilities increased in 2017, mainly due to the restart of facilities that were off-line in 2016.

It went on to say; “SPDC supports the elimination of routine flaring as quickly as practical. However, to do so requires significant investment in gas-gathering and processing facilities or the stoppage of associated oil production which generates revenue for the Nigerian economy. Several new gas-gathering projects came on stream at the end of 2017, however, the planned start-up dates for two gas-gathering projects have historically been delayed due to a lack of adequate joint-venture funding. Nevertheless, with funding now restored the projects are planned for completion in 2018-19’’.